An article and descriptions of programs for first-year college students are presented. In "As Freshmen First," John Orr Dwyer recounts the history of the word "freshman" and outlines some of the characteristics of the 1980s first-year student. Recognizing the problems that face students entering college for the first time, he asks why there is no national association for the administrators who help freshmen overcome these problems and adjust to their new academic, social, and physical environments. The program descriptions following the essay illustrate some of the ways in which colleges and universities are helping these first-year students adjust to college life. At the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and the State University of New York College, Oswego, structured orientation programs are provided that aim for increased student awareness of campus facilities, services, and activities. Washington University, and Denison University have designed special courses and seminars that unify freshman academic experiences. The City University of New York, College of Staten Island, offers a freshman seminar, freshman workshop, a baccalaureate program for students ranked in the top third of their graduating class, and a program that integrates the development of writing ability with the teaching of the subject matter. At St. Olaf College, interviews were conducted with freshmen in order to determine how and when programs should be implemented and dilemmas and issues that freshmen are facing. Additionally, programs at the following colleges are described briefly: University of Delaware, University of Hartford, Hollins College, Jefferson Community College, Marymount Manhattan College, and Thomas More College. Resource materials also are identified. (SW)

Identifiers: City University of New York Coll of Staten Island; Denison University OH; Saint Olaf College MN; State University of New York Coll at Oswego; University of South Carolina Columbia; Washington University MO